The University of Illinois' medical school has a third-year program of weekly role-playing exercises focusing on management of acute medical problems. Students are responsible for creating the cases, complete with scenarios and treatment teams, simulating them, and successfully treating or reaching an impasse. Little teacher preparation time is…

This article describes the factors to which the classroom teacher needs to attend to enhance the mathematical problem-solving abilities of students. Emphasis is placed upon the means necessary to develop the attribute of being a problem solver, rather than focusing on the goal of becoming a problem solver. (JJK)

Presents 14 distinct methods to determine the sine of the angle formed by the line segments joining one vertex of a square to the midpoints of the nonadjacent sides. Nine methods were developed by mathematics club participants preparing for mathematics competitions and the remaining five by faculty members. (MDH)

Presents study results suggesting some malleability in learning strategies that flow from cognitive style. Examines the effects and practicability of restructuring training as a means of addressing individual learner differences. Reports that training enhanced performance on two dependent measures tasks. Concludes that field-dependent learners…

This paper argues that the ability to conduct structured interviews with students should be part of every mathematics teacher's repertoire of student assessment strategies. The paper discusses and illustrates interview strategies and skills and reviews assumptions about mathematical problem solving. (JDD)

Studied practical intelligence, defined as, "the fit between an individual's problem-solving style and the opportunities afforded by the social context." Subjects were adolescents in college-preparatory or vocational training tracks. Results showed that the two groups interpreted practical problems differently and proposed different…

An extensive observational project of the movement of the moon is described. Directions for building a cross-staff used to measure the angle between specific stars and the moon and a copy of a stereographic projection of the celestial sphere used in data reduction are provided. (KR)

An activity in which students design and build an apparatus that can be used to rapidly determine the specific gravities of small substances is described. Calculations needed to determine the density of substances when using the Jolly balance are included. (KR)

Describes an attempt to increase business calculus students' desire to learn by overcoming typical low levels of mathematical preparation and motivation utilizing a corporate structure managed by the students. Includes 10 sample problems from fictitious corporations. (JJK)

Presents a problem solving strategy developed by a second grade student that goes beyond modeling an intuitive or informal interpretation of an operation to solve division problems. Concludes that good teaching should build on pupil's existing preinstruction knowledge and recognize a pupil's attempts at creative solutions. (MDH)

A two-stage problem-solving strategy involving cue cards and their gradual withdrawal was used to teach nine sheltered workshop employees how to prevent work-related accidents. Results indicated that participants used the strategy appropriately and generalized their skills to similar and dissimilar situations up to eight weeks after training.…

Investigates the effect that manipulation of the extent of formal reasoning required for solving chemistry problems has upon student performance, and presents a cognitive model for the qualitative analysis of that effect. Concludes that the developmental level of students is the most important predictor of problem-solving success given significant…

Presents a method to enhance the teaching of computer programing to secondary students that establishes a connection between logic, truth tables, switching circuits, gating symbols, flow charts, and pseudocode. The author asserts that the method prepares students for thinking processes related to programing. (MDH)

Reports results of study examining the effect of inservice education program on middle school science teachers attitudes toward teaching and on teaching behaviors. A nonrandomized control group pretest/posttest design was used with a sample of 44 teachers. Results showed no significant attitude difference between the treatment groups. However,…

Suggests that effective school counseling program would be time efficient and time limited; address issue that most students are not self-referred; address issue of reluctant student; demonstrate positive orientation toward people and change; teach students to use counseling process, change their behaviors, and cope; and use strength of clients…